Sabah
Osman’s Homestay
Owned by a renowned naturalist guide and used as a base for many wildlife film-makers (including the BBC), the lodge has one of the best locations in the area and provides an ideal base from which to explore the wildlife of the surrounding forest. Osman is a highly regarded wildlife guide, who has personally guided Sir David Attenborough when he was producing a documentary along the Kinabatangan River.
The area is particularly renowned for proboscis monkeys that arrive in large groups at the trees on the riverbanks during late afternoon, to feed on the young leaves of Sonneratia trees. There is also a very good chance of seeing wild orangutans, macaques, gibbons, silvered langur and maroon langur monkeys. Bird species include all eight species of hornbill, Oriental darter and the large buffy fish-owl.
Borneo pygmy elephants are also found here in large herds and they can occasionally be observed walking through the lodge.
The simple and clean lodge offers basic rooms located in a block, surrounded by attractive gardens. Electricity is provided in the rooms although there is no hot water, and traditional home-cooked meals are prepared and served in the family dining room.
Facilities
Garden, electricity, bathroom with shower (but no hot water), home cooked meals, fan in room.
Local Wildlife
Sun bear, orangutan, proboscis monkey, long-tailed and pig-tailed macaque, silvered and maroon langur, Bornean gibbon, Bornean pygmy elephant, civets, otters and bearded pigs are also occasionally seen. Nocturnal wildlife spotting could reward you with loris and tarsier sightings, or very rarely a flat-headed cat or even clouded leopard. Reptiles include reticulated python, mangrove snake, saltwater crocodile.
Eight species of hornbill, the rare storm’s stork, various kingfishers and Bornean ground cuckoos are some of the many avian highlights found there.
Optional Activities
River excursion to the Kelenanap oxbow lake and river cruises at night, seeking out elusive, nocturnal species.
Jonathan Morris
Area Specialist
If you have any questions regarding our Borneo tours, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
This was our 11th consecutive wildlife trip with Reef and Rainforest, that in itself speaks volumes. As our interest in the natural world has steadily increased so have our demands, particularly with regard to itinerary planning. Reef and Rainforest have never let us down, delivering some truly magical experiences and wildlife sightings over the years. This trip was one of the best, we observed well 4 out of 5 cat species, 9 out of 10 primates and 6 out of 8 Hornbills. In all 44 species of mammals were recorded and numerous birds and reptiles. Be prepared to go nocturnal to get the best out of your visit, Borneo is a truly magical island to visit with some wonderful and rare wildlife. The accommodation throughout the trip was good, the guiding was exceptional and the food was of a very high standard. Thank you, Jonathan, and all at Reef and Rainforest, we look forward to hopefully travelling with you again in 2025.